Tankless Water Heaters vs. Traditional Water Heaters: Pros & Cons
The water heater is an important system present in many residential and commercial buildings in the United States. It ensures a constant supply of hot water for everyday consumption. Water heaters come in different types, with the most common ones being tankless and traditional models. Before you decide to settle on one of the two, it is good to understand how they work and learn about their respective advantages and disadvantages. To get you started, our experts here at BELOMAN discuss the pros and cons of tankless and traditional water heaters.
Tankless Water Heaters Pros
1. Energy Efficient
One primary advantage of a tankless water heater is energy efficiency. The tankless system is up to 34% more efficient than traditional units with a tank. Their high energy efficiency level is because they provide hot water on demand instead of heating and storing it at a preset temperature.
2. Lower Utility Bills
Installing a tankless water heater can save you hundreds of dollars every year on utility bills. This is due to the fact that tankless systems consume less energy to heat water compared to their traditional counterparts.
3. Save Space
Since tankless water heaters lack tanks, they require very little space for installation. They can be mounted anywhere, including under the sink, inside closets, and other tiny spaces. As a result, the system is suitable for rooms with limited space.
Tankless Water Heaters Cons
1. High Upfront Costs
While tankless water heater systems are more energy efficient, their initial costs may leave you thinking twice. The average price of a new gas tankless unit is $1,000, whereas electric models cost at least $500. The installation costs of tankless systems are also high.
2. Flow Rate Limit
Tankless systems have a restricted flow rate. In general, the systems release hot water at a rate of two to five gallons per minute. The limited flow rate makes tankless water heaters unsuitable for buildings with high water consumption needs.
3. Power Outage Issues
All water heater systems, including gas models, need electric power to run. Since the heaters provide hot water on demand, power loss means no water. This con renders a tankless heater unsuitable for areas with frequent power outage problems.
Traditional Water Heaters Pros
1. Low Upfront Costs
Traditional water heaters have low upfront costs. Besides selling at lower prices than tankless water heaters, the traditional models cost less to install. The average price of a new heater with a tank is $600.
2. High Flow Rate
Another advantage of traditional water heaters is their high flow rate. The storage tanks in conventional heating systems enable them to release more water per minute. This makes them ideal for buildings in high-demand situations.
3. Easy to Maintain
Traditional water heating systems are much easier to maintain than their tankless variants. They are easy to maintain because of their simplicity. This also renders their maintenance costs low.
Traditional Water Heaters Cons
1. High Energy Bills
The main disadvantage of traditional water heating systems is high energy bills. Since the systems heat water and then keep it at a specific temperature in the tank, they tend to consume more energy. Therefore, installing the heater means high utility bills every month.
2. Need More Space
If your building does not have enough room, you will need to change your mind about owning a traditional water heater. Unlike tankless heaters, conventional systems need a larger installation space to occupy their tanks.
3. Short Lifespan
Traditional water heaters are infamous for having short lifespans. The average lifespan of the systems is 10 to 15 years, which is lower than that of tankless units — 20 years.
At BELOMAN, we are the most trusted heating and cooling company serving residential and commercial customers in Greater Belleville and Metro East areas. Our heating and cooling technicians are trained and factory-certified to provide exceptional services that meet client needs. Our family-owned company has over six decades of experience in the field, meaning you count on us to handle all heating and cooling services professionally. In addition to providing free quotes, our company offers senior and military discounts to make our services more affordable. As a local company, we are also actively involved in the community.
Contact us at BELOMAN today for more details about tankless and traditional water heater systems.
